Empties – March 2018



Quick Thoughts:  If I was judging based on the scent alone, I would give these both ten stars.  It has a very fresh, welcoming scent, and if they sold perfume with the same smell, I would buy it in a heartbeat.  Overall, they were just okay.  They got the job done, but I was ready to try something different when they were empty.  I still have a preference for the original shampoo and conditioner.
Would I repurchase?  No.  I am a fan of OGX, but they have so many other options to try.

OGX Hydrate & Repair + Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo

OGX Hydrate & Repair + Argan Oil of Morocco Conditioner


Quick Thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed the Pureology shampoo.  I am not sure if it truly helped give my hair volume, but my hair felt healthier and stronger when I was using it.  My only complaint is it was SO expensive.  I have color treated hair so I understand wanting to spend a little more on haircare products to help keep the color… but $28 for such a small bottle is ridiculous.
I was underwhelmed with the Giovanni conditioner.  I feel like it helped with my flyaways, but it did not hydrate my hair at all.  I am actually using a Giovanni tea tree shampoo right now that I really like for deep cleaning my hair.  Unfortunately, this conditioner did nothing for me.
Would I repurchase?  Unless Pureology is having a really good sale, no.  I also will not be repurchasing the Giovanni conditioner.  I can appreciate the size and price point of it, but I would rather spend a little more to get a product that actually does what it states.

Pureology Pure Volume Shampoo

Giovanni Deeper Moisture Conditioner


Quick Thoughts: The Veganese conditioner from Lush was a bit of a disappointment for me.  It made my hair shiny, and I loved the lemon sugar scent.  However, I didn’t make my hair softer, and I HAD to apply a leave-in conditioner after using it.
Speaking of leave-in conditioners, the Healthy Sexy Hair treatment is one of my favorites.  I like to switch between this one and the famous It’s a 10 leave-in conditioner.
Would I repurchase?  For the Veganese, probably not.  There are so many other amazing products from Lush that I would rather spend my money on.  I have already repurchased the Healthy Sexy Hair leave-in conditioner several times, and I have no plans on stopping.

Veganese Conditioner

Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Tri-Wheat Leave-In Conditioner


Quick Thoughts: Overall, I hated both of these products.  I know that sounds pretty harsh, but I’m just telling the truth.  Neither of them are empty because I disliked them so much that I could not bring myself to finish them.  The Carol’s Daughter Leave-In Conditioner was probably one of the worst hair care products that I have ever tried.  It did the exact opposite of what it claimed.  After applying, my hair would actually be MORE tangled, frizzy and knotted, and it was almost impossible to brush.  In the beginning, I thought it might have been my shampoo and conditioner, but that problem disappeared once I stopped using the leave-in conditioner.  I had every intention to return it, but I really wanted to warn others who might be tempted to try it.  Yes, everyone’s hair is different, but I have color treated, dry, thin hair.  So if it can’t help my hair, I honestly do not think it can help anyone’s.  The only positive about it was I loved the scent.  It was very unique, and lasted all day.
The Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Dry Shampoo was a major letdown too.  I have been on the hunt for the perfect dry shampoo for as long as I can remember.  So when I heard a lot of people in the beauty community raving about it, I figured I would give it a try.  Maybe I got a bad batch, but no matter how hard I scrubbed, I COULD NOT work it into my hair.  I was always left with a pale white residue on my roots.  After having several people ask if I had dandruff and being told to use Head and Shoulders, I was done trying.  This might work for someone with much lighter hair, but on my dark hair, it was a nightmare.
Would I Repurchase?  NO.  That being said, I am still very curious to try more products from Carol’s Daughter, and I am also a huge fan of Not Your Mother’s.

Carol’s Daughter Sacred Tiare Leave-In Conditioner

Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo


Quick Thoughts:  I have been using the Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle body wash for a long time now.  A lot of tea tree body washes that I have tried in the past have left my skin extremely dry, but not this one.  It is super gentle even on my sensitive skin.  The scent is very therapeutic, and is perfect for relaxing.
I bought the Hempz Sensitive Skin body wash during a sale at Ulta.  My husband and I are obsessed with their original body lotion, and I was very interested in trying their Sensitive Skin line.  After I used it the first time, I knew it was instantly going to be a favorite.  It was so gentle and extremely moisturizing.  I thought it had a very faint, sweet, oatmeal scent, but my hubby said it smelled like cookie dough!
Would I Repurchase?  I am already on my fourth bottle of the tea tree body wash.  It is a staple in my household.  If it wasn’t so expensive, the Hempz Sensitive Skin body wash would be the only body wash I ever use.  If you ever get the chance to try it, I HIGHLY recommend it.

Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Body Wash

Hempz Sensitive Skin Calming Herbal Body Wash


Quick Thoughts:  I was so sad when I ran out of this body wash.  I really enjoyed the rose scent especially because it lingered on my skin even after I got out of the shower, and it was very gentle.  I have seen smaller bottles of the Jāsön Rosewater Body Wash at Whole Foods and Sprouts, but T.J. Maxx had much bigger bottles for a better price.
Would I Repurchase?  Maybe not immediately, but yes.

Jāsön Invigorating Rosewater Body Wash


Quick Thoughts:  If you have been following me for a while, you know how much I love The Body Shop’s Shea Body butter.  It is one of my favorite scents, and makes my skin so soft.
I am on the fence with the Earth Therapeutics foot scrub because I enjoyed it, but I don’t feel like it made that big of a difference.
Would I repurchase?  I already have two tubs of the body butter as backup so I never have to run out!  As for the foot scrub, I haven’t decided yet.  I definitely won’t be rushing out to buy more.

The Body Shop Shea Body Butter

Earth Therapeutics tea tree oil Cooling Foot Scrub


Quick Thoughts:  I have struggled with acne for over ten years now, and as a result, I have facial scarring.  After hearing one of my favorite bloggers (Miss Hope Elizabeth) talk about the Derma e scrub, I knew I had to give it a try.  Honestly, I do not think it helped fade my scars, but it definitely allowed my skin treatments to soak in more efficiently.
The Herbalism face cleanser and I have been in a love/hate relationship for quite some time.  It is a gentle exfoliator and my skin responds really well to it, but it SO. MESSY.  You are pretty much forced to use it in the shower unless you want green goo all over your bathroom sink.
As for the Mario Badescu moisturizer, I enjoyed it so much and wish it came in a bigger bottle.  It was very light, and it worked well under makeup.  It also had SPF 30 which I personally think should be a requirement for all moisturizers.
Would I Repurchase?  Absolutely.

Derma e Microdermabrasion Scrub

Herbalism Face and Body Cleanser

Mario Badescu Oil Free Moisturizer


Quick Thoughts:  If you have sensitive skin, please do NOT use the Avalon Organics Intense Defense Cleansing Gel!  I really enjoyed other products from them so I wanted to branch out and use more.  My plan quickly backfired because this stuff burned my skin, and stung like no tomorrow.  It might work for someone with normal skin, but if you are sensitive in any way, I would advice to run the other direction.
On a brighter note, the Burt’s Bees Deep Cleansing Cream is amazing.  It does have a slight tingle which is partly why I love it so much.  I prefer using it in the morning because it helps wake me up, and preps my skin for moisturizer.
Would I Repurchase?  I definitely will not be repurchasing the Intense Defense Cleansing Gel, but would love more of the Burt’s Bees cleanser.

Avalon Organics Intense Defense Cleansing Gel

Burt’s Bees Soap Bark and Chamomile Cleansing Cream


Quick Thoughts:  I am OBSESSED with the Derma e Purifying Daily Detox Scrub!  A lot of scrubs have a tendency to irritate my skin, but this one is gentle yet somehow very effective.  It also helps so much with the annoying blackheads on my nose.
The Pacifica Cactus Water Micellar Cleansing Tonic has quickly become one of my favorites too.  I used to use makeup wipes for stubborn eye makeup, but that resulted in a lot of tugging and rubbing my eyes.  Now I use this and I do not have to tug or scrub at all.  It removes ALL of my eye makeup effortlessly.
Would I repurchase?  Y E S.

Derma e Purifying Daily Detox Scrub

Pacifica Cactus Water Micellar Cleansing Tonic


Quick Thoughts:  I am a fan of all of Lush’s facial sprays, and this one was no exception.  I don’t think it helped with my breakouts, but it was very refreshing and soothing.
Sadly, I was not impressed with the Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner.   It didn’t harm my skin, but it also did not help it in any way.  I still prefer their Cucumber Cleansing Lotion.
Would I Repurchase?  I am currently using the Mario Badescu Rosewater facial spray (which I LOVE) so I might switch back to Lush when I run out, and I definitely will not be repurchasing the Glycolic Acid Toner.

Lush Tea Tree Toner Water

Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner


Quick Thoughts:  As you can probably tell from the photo, this foundation was very loved.  It was my first time trying a Smashbox foundation, and I was not disappointed.  I appreciated their wide range of colors for pale skin because a lot of companies seem to think pale means white.  It certainly did not last fifteen hours, but I was able to run around Disneyland all day without it falling off my face.
I also really liked the Milani Prime Light Face Primer, but it did nothing to minimize my pores.  I ended up using a matte primer for my T zone, and then applied this primer in the other spots.
Would I Repurchase?  The only reason I haven’t already repurchased the Smashbox foundation is because it is pretty expensive.  You usually get what you pay for with foundations, but right now, I am testing drugstore foundations.  I think I will repurchase the Prime Light primer, but during the summer when I want more of a dewy, light makeup look.

Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation

Milani Prime Light Face Primer

I hope you enjoyed seeing all of the products that I have recently finished using!  Product Empties are some of my favorite blog posts to read because you can get someone’s full opinion on a product.  If I happened to talk negatively about a product that you love, don’t take it personally!  Everybody is different, and what works for me may not work for you.  This is simply sharing my experience and opinions.  I also happen to love all of the companies that were mentioned so even if I disliked a product, I still like the company as a whole!
What are some products that you have recently finished? ♡

All my love,

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